Chapter 42: Whispers and Hidden Sounds

Where did things go wrong?

Jiang Cheng stood under the showerhead, the dense streams of water scattering across her body.

Soon the entire bathroom was filled with steam. 

Ever since becoming a girl, the water temperature she chose had also become higher.

The fragrance was probably picked by Wang Ziyue. 

Jiang Cheng squeezed a little into her hand and brought it to her nose for a gentle sniff.

It’s a bit intoxicating…

The rich and mellow scent was just like Wang Ziyue herself.

Yet it was slightly different from the faint sweet coffee fragrance she usually carried. 

Jiang Cheng could always remember that aroma.

Probably some kind of perfume?

Jiang Cheng was slightly lost in thought as she rinsed off the foam.

After drying the water droplets with the bath towel hanging on the rail and wrapping it around herself, she stepped on her slippers and stood in front of the mirror.

Why does it feel like… there’s more flesh on my arms? 

Jiang Cheng frowned, then immediately felt surprised by the sudden thought.

It wasn’t just the outward gender—many more things were changing.

She quietly gazed at herself in the mirror for a while.

Then made a funny face.

Jiang Cheng picked up the hairdryer and blew away the stray thoughts in her head.

Things have already come to this point—what’s the use of thinking about it?

Once her hair was half-dry, Jiang Cheng pulled open the bathroom door and walked toward the bed.

Although it was a guest bedroom, the layout was no different from an ordinary master bedroom.

She opened the disposable underwear Wang Ziyue had given her. 

The plain-colored set fit perfectly and wasn’t tight at all.

Only after putting on the nightgown did Jiang Cheng suddenly react.

Even if it’s one-size-fits-all, there are still different sizes—how could it fit so well…

Jiang Cheng recalled their conversation from the afternoon; they hadn’t talked about clothing sizes at all.

And looking at the packaging, Wang Ziyue hadn’t bought it in advance either. 

The only possible moment would have been while she was asleep.

She… wouldn’t have, right…

“Jiang Jiang?” 

Wang Ziyue knocked on the door. 

Seeing no response from inside, she pushed the door open a crack and poked her head in.

Her gaze landed directly on Jiang Cheng, who had just changed into the nightgown and was standing by the bed.

“Why didn’t you make a sound? I thought you were still showering.”

Wang Ziyue walked in. 

Her eyes unconsciously fell on the slender waist cinched by the wine-red nightgown, then on the shoulders with thin straps and the blooming roses at the neckline.

“I just finished changing…”

“Mm, the mulled wine is ready. I added cinnamon—I wasn’t sure if you’re used to it.”

Jiang Cheng shook her head.

“I’m not picky.”

“That’s good. Since you’re done showering, let’s go downstairs.” 

Wang Ziyue reached out to take her hand, but Jiang Cheng didn’t move.

Wang Ziyue blinked twice in confusion.

“Sister…”

Jiang Cheng spoke very slowly and even lowered her head, making it impossible to see her current expression.

Wang Ziyue’s heart rose and fell with her words; the hand she had extended hung in mid-air, unsure of what to do next.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead…” 

Wang Ziyue withdrew her hand, her fingertips digging into her palm.

“How did you know my underwear size?”

The girl’s ears gradually turned cherry-pink, yet her tone was utterly serious.

She really cared about this question—Wang Ziyue could feel it.

But this was because—oh—she suddenly understood and hurriedly explained.

“I eyeballed it! Sister really just eyeballed it, I didn’t touch anything! How could your sister possibly be a pervert, right?”

The more Wang Ziyue tried to explain, the worse it got.

Jiang Cheng raised her head, her eyes clear and bright.

“I believe you. But…”

Wang Ziyue had only just relaxed when her heart was pulled tight again.

“Your reaction is way too big. It’s super suspicious. I just wanted to ask if you measured me.” 

Jiang Cheng suddenly leaned in closer. 

Although she tried to act calm, the shyness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Wang Ziyue watched that face grow larger, as if it were pressed right against her own eyes.

“How could I possibly do something like that without your permission?”

“It’s not a big deal even through clothes, right? We’re both girls.” 

Realizing she had misspoken, Jiang Cheng shrank back and didn’t dare look at Wang Ziyue anymore.

The topic seemed to be getting stranger and stranger.

By now Wang Ziyue had sorted out her emotions. 

If she hadn’t had that weird delusion earlier, she wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.

“In short, Sister only used her eyes to measure.”

“You’re pretty accurate.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Do you eyeball often?” 

Jiang Cheng’s words carried an implication.

“Pfft—” 

Wang Ziyue reacted just as quickly. 

“Didn’t you say we’re both girls? Don’t I wear them too? After so many years, of course I’d have more experience.”

Jiang Cheng pressed her lips together and finally let out a soft “mm.” 

Even she wasn’t sure why she had asked that last question.

“Can we go downstairs now?” 

Wang Ziyue reached out again, palm up, bending slightly in an inviting gesture.

Jiang Cheng smiled at her refined and courteous manner.

She lightly placed her hand on top, like a noble princess, and took a step forward.

The next second, that slender hand was grasped firmly, and Wang Ziyue smilingly pulled her half a step closer.

“Then please enjoy your evening dessert, my princess.”

“Mm…”

Jiang Cheng’s toes curled tightly as she endured the embarrassment and played along with Wang Ziyue.

The two walked down the spiral staircase, one step at a time.

Only when they entered the kitchen and Wang Ziyue went to fetch the finished mulled wine did Jiang Cheng speak. 

“Sister, when you were little, did you like playing house?”

Wang Ziyue’s foot faltered, and the two glass cups she was holding nearly slipped off the tray.

“Cough… I thought you would like it.”

“It is quite fun.” Jiang Cheng deliberately stared into Wang Ziyue’s eyes.

“Sit down and drink properly. Why do you keep staring at Sister?”

Wang Ziyue, both embarrassed and annoyed, turned Jiang Cheng’s face away. 

The silky touch made her unconsciously caress it a little longer.

Jiang Cheng didn’t notice. 

It was as if she had discovered something new and novel; her whole demeanor had become excited.

“Are you blushing?”

“…” Wang Ziyue didn’t answer.

Feeling a little bored, Jiang Cheng sat across from her and silently drank from her own cup.

“It’s delicious…” 

Jiang Cheng’s eyes sparkled, surprise spilling out from her fluttering lashes.

Then, as if remembering something, she restrained her smile and fell silent again.

Wang Ziyue suddenly realized this kid had quite a temper—it completely overturned the polite distance from their first meeting.

Yet this wordless closeness felt very comforting to Wang Ziyue.

Sometimes she found it magical. 

Every time the two of them interacted, they grew a little closer.

“Hey… did you forget something?”

Wang Ziyue poked Jiang Cheng’s forehead and looked at the girl’s puzzled eyes, helplessly spitting out two words.

“Secret?”

Jiang Cheng was confused for a moment before remembering the original reason she had come to Wang Ziyue’s home.

“Oh… where should I start?”

Wang Ziyue gazed at the girl. 

As the girl had said, she actually wasn’t that interested in the cause and effect.

In the end, all she wanted was Jiang Cheng’s honesty… The moment Jiang Cheng was willing to open her heart, Wang Ziyue no longer cared so much about the secret or the truth.

Even so, after hearing everything Jiang Cheng recounted, Wang Ziyue couldn’t help frowning.

Sourness, heartache, worry…

All kinds of feelings mixed together.

“Then how do you feel about it now? This current life, everything… If it weren’t for Sister—”

Jiang Cheng interrupted her.

“I actually quite like my life now. Perhaps it’s this new identity that has made me more at ease. I can feel myself changing, but maybe this is the truest me deep inside—no matter what I look like on the outside, my soul hasn’t changed. You told me that yourself. Since I’ve decided to move forward, I won’t look back.”

“Good…” 

Wang Ziyue gently clinked her glass against Jiang Cheng’s. “To moving forward.”

“Would you like another cup?”

“Mm-hmm~”

Wang Ziyue got up, brought over the small pot from the kitchen, and poured another half cup for Jiang Cheng.

Seeing the disappointment in the girl’s eyes, she shook her head.

“No more than that. It’s still made with red wine, after all.”

“Oh…” 

Jiang Cheng cradled the precious half-cup of hot mulled wine and sipped it little by little.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” 

Wang Ziyue stood up. 

She had only taken two steps when she heard a thump behind her.

The girl who had been sitting properly suddenly knocked her head on the table. 

She kept rubbing her eyes while the overturned cup spilled quite a bit of red wine—most of it dripping onto her fair, jade-like thighs.

Spreading into a stain.

“Sister, I’m so sleepy~”

I didn’t even put sleeping pills in it?! Wang Ziyue was shocked.